Bioenergy for better sustainability: technologies, challenges and prospect

Abstract Bioenergy such as bioalcohols and biogas is one of the sustainable energy for human beings. Bioalcohols can be divided into three generations according to the feedstocks. Municipal waste, industrial waste and agriculture waste are the main feedstocks for biogas fermentation. Batch fermentation and continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) are the typical operation process for bioalcohols fermentation. To relieve inhibition of alcohols to enhance fermentation, in situ removal of alcohol during fermentation is the promising technology for efficient bioalcohols production. Different from bioalcohols fermentation, batch fermentation is the common operation for biogas production. In the future, more feedstocks should be explored for bioalcohols production and the membrane with good separation performance and low cost should be applied for alcohols removal in situ during fermentation. Upgrades to biogas plants for the production of biological methane for municipal gas and vehicle fuel will provide new pathways.